determined to take the matter in their own hands. The election was to last
three days, and they concluded to let the polls, when the mob entered,
take care of themselves the balance of the day, and organize a plan for
self-protection on the morrow.

A call was at once issued for a meeting at Masonic Hall, and that night
four thousand Whigs packed the building, from limit to limit. General
Bogardus was called to the chair, who, after stating the object of the
meeting, and describing the conduct of the mob in the Sixth Ward, offered
the following resolutions:

"_Whereas_, The authority of the POLICE of the city has been set at
defiance by a band of _hirelings, mercenaries_, and _bullies_ in
the Sixth Ward, and the LIVES of our citizens put in jeopardy. And
_whereas_ it is evident that we are in a state of anarchy, which
requires the prompt and efficient interposition of every friend of good
order who is disposed to sustain the constitution and laws, therefore, be
it

"_Resolved_, That in order to preserve the _peace_ of the city,
and especially of the Sixth Ward, the friends of the constitution and the
liberties of the citizen will meet at this place (Masonic Hall), to-morrow
(Wednesday), at half-past seven o'clock A.M., and repair to the Sixth Ward
poll, for the _purpose of keeping it open to_ ALL VOTERS until such
time as the official authorities may 'procure a sufficient number of
special constables to keep the peace.'

"_Resolved_, That while at the Sixth Ward poll, those who are not
residents thereof will not take part in the election, but simply act as
_conservators of the peace_, until such times as the MAJESTY OF THE